Aggie women shut out for only second time this year

Ashley Dommer

The Utah State University women’s soccer team traveled to Las Vegas this weekend to face the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks on Friday and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Runnin’ Rebels on Sunday.

The Aggies fell to the Rebels in a 2-0 shutout, suffering the second shutout of the year counting Wyoming. USU managed to get six shots in, including two in the second half.

UNLV scored both of their goals within 10 minutes of each other. Anita Pedford posted a goal only five minutes and 50 seconds into the second half from a rebound off the right goalpost. Pedford then joined up with Anii Magliuo in assisting Jessika Vasquez on the second goal with 61 minutes gone in the contest.

Aggie goalkeeper Tracy Brady allowed two goals, but posted 10 saves during Sunday’s game, six of which were in the first half. The Rebel’s goalkeeper allowed zero goals, notching three saves on the day for UNLV.

Earlier in the week the Aggies defeated the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 3-2 in “Sin City.” Senior Becky Ward posted the first goal for the Aggies only 15 minutes into the first half with an assist from junior Brigid Turner. NAU responded quickly with Sarah Pachan knocking in a goal only five minutes later to put the Lumberjacks on the board.

Sophomore Amber Tracy notched the second goal for USU three minutes into the second half with an assist from Ward. Turner posted the final goal for the Aggies from a penalty kick five minutes later. NAU’s Holly Jones put the final point of the game on the board, and paced the Lumberjack offense with four shots and one goal in the final 15 minutes of the game.

The Lumberjacks led in shots taken with 19, while USU trailed, taking only 16 shots. The Aggies played a rather aggressive game notching nine fouls while NAU held back with only four.

Sophomore Amber Tracy continues to hold the top spot for goals and points scored, scoring five goals in the past four games. Senior Becky Ward has posted her first three career goals so far this season. Goalkeeper Tracy Brady recorded three saves this contest, bringing her season total up to 34 saves in the year.

Utah State plays its next two games on the road, opening Big West Conference action on Friday at Long Beach State and Sunday at University of California-Irvine. The Aggies will then return home to take on University of California-Riverside on Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. on Tower Field.